August 16 | Acts 4:23-31
DAILY READING
Acts 4:23-31
REFLECTION
Daring and Bold Wins
by Judy Webb and Gail Huberty
Have you ever been so passionate about something that you spoke with the intensity of a great warrior or scholar and had no idea where the words came from? Was there a time when you stood strong for a cause in a way that you would have never believed you could?
Perhaps this is the type of inner passion today’s scripture refers to as speaking the word of God boldly.
Peter and John were seized and taken to jail because of what they were sharing about Jesus. They were questioned and warned multiple times not to speak of or teach in the name of Jesus. Upon their release, Peter and John were even more intent on their mission.
They prayed; “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Servant Jesus.” (verse 29)
Verse 31 goes on to say; After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
We can be bold and assertive without being aggressive or pushy. Being bold for the Lord is a great honor. Meeting people where they are with the confidence of the Holy Spirit within us will draw others to us.
Perhaps you are not a bold person by nature, but you will be amazed at what can come forth from within even the small and meek when the Spirit is near, and we are open to Him. Be bold for the Lord!
In 2 Corinthians the Lord states, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." We must remember that we aren’t escaping this world alive, so let’s call upon the Holy Spirit for a courageous sense of love for others. Let’s take as many people with us as we can, to meet Jesus in Heaven.
PRAYER PRACTICE
Dear Lord, Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, counsel, help and so much more. The presence of Holy Spirit in our lives makes the difference between life and death. Come Holy Spirit! Send us your wisdom. Amen.
Note: This devotion has been taken and updated from two posts written in 2014 and 2016. They were written by my sister, Gail Huberty.